23 lazy ways to burn more kilojoules every day

These expert-approved activities will boost the burn without your ever breaking a sweat.

By Jenn Sinrich

Wash your own car

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Sure, the drive-through is way easier, but washing your car yourself isn’t all that hard – plus, it burns way more kilojoules than sitting and watching a machine do all the work. “As you wash low and high parts of your car (or truck), your body will be moving up and down, which works some major gluteal and leg muscles (not to mention your core, back, and arms),” says Edwards. “Add in waxing your vehicle, and you can tack on easily another 1250 to 2100 kilojoules depending on the size of the vehicle.”

Drink lots of ice water

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If you prefer your water room temperature, it might be time to add in some ice cubes! “Drinking chilled liquids forces your body to work harder by warming up the liquid before it can be passed further into the gastrointestinal system,” explains Dr. Adams. “This translates to more kilojoules burned to warm up those liquids.”

Turn the heat down

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Like drinking ice-cold beverages, hanging out in a cold room has kilojoule-burning benefits too. Research by the National Institutes of Health has shown that exposure to cold temperatures can trigger kilojoule-burning and fat loss. More importantly, Backe points out that cold weather essentially exercises the circulatory system, effectively reducing inflammation and helping prevent heart and circulatory disease.

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Take the stairs

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The elevator might get you there without interrupting that email or text you’re trying to send, but taking the stairs is way better for burning kilojoules. “You’re going from point A to point B anyway, so why not make the extra effort and ditch the elevator or escalator?” says Backe. “While it may seem like an inconsequential exercise, daily stair climbing can significantly lower your risk of heart disease and weight gain.”

Stand while you work

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If your company allows it, consider swapping your normal, sit-down desk for a standing desk – or if you work from home, consider standing at your kitchen counter – which can help you burn an extra 85 to 210 kilojoules an hour, according to Edwards. “Stand for four hours a day and that is 1675 kilojoules burned; over a five day work week – you have just shaved off 8,400 kilojoules!” she adds. “Keep doing the math and it comes out to an extra 418,400 kilojoules a year.”

Chew gum

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It might not sound like the healthiest habit in the world, but chewing gum can be beneficial to your waistline. “Chewing gum burns kilojoules by both exercising your facial muscles and keeping you from snacking,” says Backe. “It’s also one of the easiest ways to tone your face and neck muscles and minimise a double chin.”

Mow your lawn

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Edwards recommends ditching the riding mower for an old school push mower to burn 1250 kilojoules an hour (instead of the 420 you’d burn when riding). “Pushing a mower is more than a light aerobic workout, as you are also working your core, hamstrings and glutes to walk the mower (even with power mowers) and navigate around trees, planting islands and more,” she says.

Skip rocks

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Remember this childhood pastime? Why not take it up again? After all, finding the flattest rock and chucking it across the water while counting the skips burns more kilojoules than standing and admiring the view! “Not only is this relaxing, but you are engaging your core, lower legs and glutes when you squat to pick up the perfect pebble, and the actual act of throwing engages your upper body depending on how hard and how long you throw,” Edwards says. “Try teaching yourself to throw with your non-dominant arm, so you can work both sides of your body equally!”

Sip green tea

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You probably already know that coffee may help you lose weight. But here’s some incentive to brew a cup of green tea instead: Research published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences shows that consumption of green tea results in a reduction in weight, body mass index, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure. Not a fan of tea? Sports Scientist Elesa Zehndorfer, Ph.D., recommends taking a green tea extract supplement instead.

Watch a scary movie

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Although watching TV seems counterintuitive to burning kilojoules, tuning in to a specific type of TV-watching could slash extra kilojoules. A study by the University of Westminster found that watching 90 minutes of an “adrenaline-inducing” movie could burn an average of 473 kilojoules, with the film The Shining reportedly burning the most kilojoules, followed by Jaws, and The Exorcist. According to the researchers, adrenaline release may lower appetite and increase the energy we expend while resting, burning a higher number of kilojoules, the Telegraph reports.